Early Bone Growth Determines Bone Density Later in Life

University of Southampton researchers in a tie-up with a Delhi-based research group have discovered that early childhood bone growth will affect the bone density as an adult. The findings indicate that children whose bones develop slowly will almost positively be at higher risk for developing bone diseases like osteoporosis later in life.

The results of the study suggest that nutrition in childhood is a crucial preemptive measure in keeping bone diseases at bay in adulthood.

The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation and was led by Professor Caroline Fell of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology unit at the University of Southampton. The research is a part of the institution’s ongoing work in determining what causes common illnesses and diseases at different points of life from pre-conception to old age. It also assesses how environmental factors can influence a gene to produce disease.